All About Your Benjamins™

Public.com popped up on my radar a few months ago and once I opened an account, I realized this was a company I wanted to learn more about. In this episode, I'm joined by Leif Abraham, co-CEO of Public.com and he not only shares the story behind Public but also shares some great information about entrepreneurship and starting a business.

Leif and the team at Public are not only building a great Fintech company, but they are building a strong community of investors within their users. I see a lot of opportunities for Public to live out its mission in the future.

Show Notes:

Twitter: Leif Abraham

Public.com

 

https://youtu.be/-Bx_EftiSQE

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

I felt it was time to bring All About Your Benjamins The Podcast back on a regular monthly schedule and make some minor adjustments to the programming. We'll still cover financial planning topics but we'll also focus on entrepreneurship, Fintech, and the future of finance. You'll also find audio from videos that fit the All About Your Benjamins brand.

Let's get to the first episode of Season 2 with Rob Petrozzo.

Rob is the co-founder of Rally Rd., a digital platform for buying & selling equity shares in collectible assets. Investors are able to buy shares of expensive cars, sports memorabilia, video game history, and more. It's a very cool platform that has an extremely bright future. I've tried the platform out and am the proud owner of 2 shares of a Mickey Mantle baseball card and 4 shares of a Kobe Bryant card. I'm definitely excited for some of the additional asset classes they plan to bring to Rally.

Be sure to give Rob and Rally Rd. a follow!

Show Notes:

Twitter: Rob Petrozzo

Twitter: Rally Rd.

Instagram: Rally Rd.

Rally Rd Website

https://youtu.be/FTioomG9Jwc

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

https://youtu.be/A2x6Booz8r0

Apple Podcasts:

Click Here To Listen On Google Podcasts

I wouldn’t call this a Crypto and Digital Assets 101 class, but as I’ve begun receiving more questions about cryptocurrency I thought it would be great to bring Tyrone Ross baby (he’s a former AAYB podcast guest on the subject) to discuss the topic—covering some of the basics, along with some of the more complex details.

Tyrone is one of the few financial advisors I know helping clients (and other advisors) navigate this space and he’s my go-to whenever I come across something crypto I don’t know. I asked him to not only explain what is so unique about cryptocurrency but to also differentiate it from other digital assets, which he defines if you are not familiar with the term.

Most investors are familiar with the volatility of the prices of cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin, but very few understand the other risks associated with digital assets and cryptocurrency. THIS is what I really wanted Tyrone to explain; areas like transfer of ownership, estate planning issues, storage, and more.

I don’t think cryptocurrencies are going away and if the trend I’m seeing continues, it’s beginning to become a more common topic of discussion with investors and digital assets are not going anywhere—they are only becoming a larger part of our lives.

It’s important for investors (and financial advisors) to educate themselves and be aware of the risks associated with owning digital and crypto assets and address them in their financial plans.

Be sure to mark your calendars: Every Thursday at 7:00 PM EST on the RLS IG (@rlswealth) I’ll be bringing more guests to your mobile device to talk about various financial planning topics and issues.

Show Notes

PBS: Life In The Cash Economy For "Unbanked" Americans

Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide To Bitcoin And Beyond

American Bar Association: Estate Planning With Cryptocurrency

Casa

Bitcoin Whitepaper

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

We're three weeks into social distancing and it appears that not all of America understands the severity of COVID-19. In this special episode of All About Your Benjamins, I'm joined by Frank Sawyer to discuss not only the health risks but the risks to the healthcare system that extend beyond just those infected with the coronavirus. Frank is an executive at a hospital system in Detroit, Michigan and witnesses daily the stress healthcare professionals are currently under and has a unique perspective into the stress the financial system may see in the coming weeks.

I believe sharing information from reputable sources is one of the best ways for us to learn and make educated decisions for ourselves, family, and the greater good. As I mention in the video, Frank has no agenda other than sharing what he is seeing and his knowledge about what the healthcare system can and cannot handle.

I hope one of the main takeaways from this conversation is the impact our decision to stay home (or not stay home) can have not only our family members but the healthcare professionals taking care of the sick. We cannot afford to have healthcare professionals becoming sick or overworked to the point they cannot perform at their best. Please also do not underestimate the impact of hospital overload due to COVID-19 on those having regular medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, etc.

I plan to have Frank back again to give an update and to see how things are progressing in a few weeks.

I hope you enjoy!

Apple Podcast Link Coming Soon

Google Podcast Link Coming Soon

https://youtu.be/ZZHjGlpGoNo

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

Technology has brought the average investor greater access to new and different types of investments.  Investors can now invest at lower costs, better tailor their portfolios to their goals and preferences, and even invest in specific sectors and themes. Thematic investing is beginning to gain traction by allowing investors to move from sectors to themes like cybersecurity, cannabis, and e-sports. Tim Maloney, CIO and Co-Founder of Roundhill Investments, explains how thematic investing can complement a traditional portfolio for some investors.

Tim's firm Roundhill has launched an ETF focused on the gaming industry and has plans to launch additional thematic ETFs and since he has first-hand experience in the thematic investing world, I thought he would be the perfect guest to talk about the opportunities, risks, how thematic investing may introduce investing to young individuals, and more.

Important: This is a very investment-heavy episode and is for educational purposes only. None of the investments or strategies mentioned should be considered investment advice.

I hope you enjoy!

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts (coming soon)

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts (coming soon)

Show Notes:

Twitter: @MaloneySandwich

Roundhill Investments

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

It's been said, "experience is a master teacher, even when it's not our own." Phil Pearlman, the Chief Community Officer at StockTwits, has experienced multiple economic cycles, market crashes and recoveries, business successes and failures, and other life events making him a master teacher we can all learn from. In this episode, we briefly touch on current market conditions and then dive deeper into how we can grow as individuals, how our mindset can impact our growth, the importance of knowing what is most important to you, and a number of other observations. This conversation will impact everyone in different ways--there's something for everyone who is looking to grow or improve their current situation. Phil delivers a lot of wisdom in an entertaining and inspiring manner. This is one of my favorite episodes, easily!

In addition to his role at StockTwits, Phil is also a content creator (Eight Fat Swine), invests in digital companies at all stages of development, and is obsessed with the psychological aspects of investor behavior, user experience, and online community development. Prior to his days at ST,  Phil was Director of Marketing at Bank OZK and Interactive Editor at Yahoo Finance where he created the Contributors Program.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts

Show Notes:

Eight Fat Swine

Twitter: @ppearlman

https://youtu.be/nIg_gdiJF24

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

Click Here To Listen On Apple Podcasts

At the end of 2019, Congress passed and the President signed the SECURE Act which brought potential changes to your financial planning.  I'm fortunate to have been connected with Jamie Hopkins who is a retirement income expert, his Twitter account says so, and an expert in the SECURE Act. He breaks down the Act and highlights some of the changes that will impact the most people.

Just like any episode that discusses planning concepts, nothing we discuss should be considered advice--we have no way of knowing your personal situation to tell you whether or not your financial plan needs to be adjusted. What are doing is bringing conversation starters for you and your financial advisor to cover in your next meeting.

Check out the show notes below for links to Jamie's social media and articles covering the SECURE Act, which can serve as a complement to this episode.

I hope you enjoy!

Show Notes:

Forbes: Congress Set To Pass SECURE Act At Last Minute, Impacting Retirement Planning And Increasing Taxes

JamieHopkins.com: In the SECURE Act Era, You’ll Need a New Retirement Strategy. Roth Conversions Could Be It

Twitter: @RetirementRisks

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

"Family Governance--turning new wealth into old money" is front and center on Jason Howell's website, and the concept of family governance is not one I was familiar with from a financial planning standpoint. From the quote, you can determine that the act of turning new wealth into old money is accomplished by involving the entire family. But what exactly does family governance mean, what does it look like, and how can we implement without families, even if we don't have the ultra-high net worths usually associated with this type of planning?

I've known Jason for a few years now as we are both members of the XY Planning Network, and I as I explain early in the conversation, I had a very instrumental conversation with Jason over dinner one evening during the 2018 XYPN Live conference, so I asked him to join me for a conversation to learn more about the planning he is doing with his clients, why he decided to make Family Governance the foundation for his firm, and share a few "secrets" with us so we might be able to implement the principles in our firms (advisors) or families (clients).

In addition to listening to the conversation, I want to encourage you to grab a copy of Jason's new book, which will be out in a few weeks!

I hope you enjoy!

Show Notes:

Book: The Joy Of Financial Planning 7 Strategies For Transforming Your Finances And Reclaiming Your American Dream

Twitter: @JasonHowellCo

Jason Howell Co. Wealth Advisors

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

The lack of financial literacy in America is a well documented issue, and while many financial advisors discuss the statistics, few have built their firms to really make an impact. I briefly learned about Genti Cici's mission at the Inside ETF's Canada conference this summer as he and I spent about 30 minutes talking between sessions. I found out that he was also going to be at the Wealth/Stack and made plans to sit back down with him to talk more and record a video; after our video, I knew we needed more time and that a podcast episode was necessary.

Genti is the founder of StandUp Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor in Maryland, and has made it his mission to bring financial literacy to the masses. He has created a financial course, a free financial planning program, and have even travelled the U.S. in an RV giving free classes on the basics of finance to college students. Genti has put his money, time, and energy where his mouth is when it comes to financial literacy.

Be sure to follow Genti, check out his free resources, and either give them a try or pass them on to those who could use them to improve their financial lives. I hope you'll help me spread Genti's mission, share his work, and help more people find his resources.

I hope you enjoy!

Twitter: @GentiCiCi

StandUp Advisors

Financial Planning Course

Financial Planning Calculator

All About Your Benjamins: Talkin' Shop

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.

Life never goes as planned; sometimes it's for the better and sometimes it not. Being flexible is important to handle life's events and it's important for your financial plan to be flexible as well. Check out this great post by my friend Jeremy Walter in addition to checking out my thoughts on today's Rundown.

Go ahead and subscribe to the RLS Wealth Management Rundown Flash Briefing.

Calibrating Capital: The Most Important Component of a Financial Plan

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.